GenSan group stages rally vs phaseout of ‘colorum’ tricycles

Thousands of members of Gensan Transport Workers Association, mostly tricycle drivers and operators, staged a protest action against an order of General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to clear the city of “colorum” (unlicensed) tricycles. The group demanded that they be given a grace period of two years so that they would be able to find alternative livelihood. But Rivera said the city’s transport code states that drivers with no franchise or permit to operate will have their tricycles impounded. This would mean that only 7,000 franchised tricycles will be allowed to operate. The order took effect last month. General Santos recorded 50,000 tricycles plying the city, covering 27 barangay (villages). Gerbert Demos, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa chairman, said they will continue their mass action until their appeal is heard by the city government.